Les Aventuriers du Rail Express (2018) Board Game

Les Aventuriers du Rail Express, also known as Ticket to Ride: First Journey, is a simpler and faster version of the popular board game Ticket to Ride. It was designed by Alan R. Moon and published by Days of Wonder in in 2018. The game is set in the early 20th century where players collect train cards to claim railway routes across a map of Europe.

Game Components of Les Aventuriers du Rail Express

Game Board: A map connecting London to Istanbul

Train Car Cards: Various types of train cars used for claiming routes

Destination Tickets: Cards showing two cities and requiring players to connect them

Train Car Counters: Tokens representing each player’s stock of train cars

Score Pad: For tracking players’ scores

How To Setup Les Aventuriers du Rail Express

Setup involves placing the game board in the middle of the playing area, shuffling and dealing a set of Destination Tickets to each player, and distributing a starting set of Train Car Cards. Each player chooses a set of Destination Tickets to keep, returning the rest to the bottom of the deck. The remaining Train Car Cards are placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Claim Routes: Players use Train Car Cards to claim routes on the map.

Draw Cards: Players can draw new Train Car Cards or pick up previously drawn cards.

Complete Destinations: The goal is to complete the Destination Tickets by claiming the necessary routes.

Score Points: Points are awarded for each route claimed and for completing Destination Tickets.

End Game: The game ends when one player’s stock of Train Car Counters falls to a certain threshold, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Les Aventuriers du Rail Express offers a quick and engaging experience, ideal for those who enjoy strategic planning but have limited time. The game requires strategic thinking to efficiently use the Train Car Cards and complete the Destination Tickets. It’s a great introduction to the Ticket to Ride series, as it retains the core mechanics but simplifies the gameplay.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Lasts between 15-30 minutes, making it a great filler game.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and intuitive gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Requires planning and resource management.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not offer enough depth for experienced players of the full Ticket to Ride game.

Less Variety: Fewer routes and destinations compared to the full version.

Personal Thoughts on Les Aventuriers du Rail Express

This game is perfect for those new to the Ticket to Ride series or looking for a quicker train-themed board game experience. It’s also a great option for families or casual gamers who want a fun and strategic game without the lengthy setup and gameplay of the full version. However, seasoned players of Ticket to Ride might find it too simplistic. Overall, it’s an excellent addition to any board game collection for its accessibility and quick playtime.

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